The Wilmington City Council could consider moving forward with a $42 million baseball bond referendum at the next regular meeting on July 10. According to city emails, the council could consider a resolution that would direct staff to publicize a plan to apply for Local Government Commission approval for the general obligation bonds.

But Mayor Bill Saffo says that number is high.

“That’s not a number I feel like at this point I can support,” he said when told about the proposed resolution that he had not seen. He said he does not know where the $42 million came from other than it was the high end of a proposed cost for the baseball stadium.

The proposed resolution, sent from outside legal counsel to city finance director Debra Mack, states the general obligation bond would be for $42 million. The issue would have to go on the ballot and voters would have to decide whether they want to pay 3.5 cents per $100 of value more in property taxes.

The proposed stadium plans include Mandalay Baseball, the stadium operator, paying part of the stadium cost through rent payments, which means taxes for city residents might not need to increase the full 3.5 cents.

Saffo said the city is still negotiating with Mandalay Baseball and might not know the final cost council will consider at the July 10 meeting up until the last minute. Saffo said the lower the cost, the better.

The stadium would be for an Atlanta Braves minor league team and the team’s operating partner Mandalay Baseball has proposed paying about $400,000 a year in rent. The city is negotiating with the Braves and Mandalay to bridge the gap between public and private funding for the stadium.

Area residents by a 2-1 majority agree with the assessment of the business community, area employers and important tourism interests, the stadium is beneficial to Wilmington and the benefits far outweigh the investment….don’t just say no to growth, jobs and prosperity, show area residents, with something more than empty rhetoric, a better solution.

We don’t want and can’t afford to pay for this. How hard is it for them to understand this? And how much more money are they going to waste on studies, surveys, referendums, etc, etc before they finally lay this dead topic to rest?
It just blows my mind that, on the one hand, the City keeps saying they barely have enough money to function, yet on the other hand keeps magically producing more money to throw at this dead horse.
Just stop it. Please.

Keep seeing that they’re looking for ways to come up with the money..but I never see what is going to happen to the profits from this debacle..are the taxpayers in wilmington ever going to see it..or is going into some ‘general’ fund that always seems to disappear. The people need to DEMAND a watchdog group to keep an good eye on all the financials.

Once again, if a baseball stadium is such a great idea and such a huge money maker, private investors would be doing it already. Sure give them a small tax break or something to that effect, but not the kind of money they are talking about now.

[…] Wilmington City Council to propose general obligation bond for Baseball Stadium. Do they know that President of Baseball Development at Mandalay has already mentioned how stupid an idea that is? […]

Tyler, please show us a link to that quote…Mandalay is still working hard in partnership with the Braves to structure a deal for a long-term commitment in Wilmington.

That’s not true…in the most recent, most comprehensive polling done to date, 2-1 majority said it would enhance the quality of life for area residents, over 60% said that it would provide economic benefits along several important dimensions, more said they would support public involvement than not and more said that they agree with the City helping to fund the stadium than disagreed.

The facts and the data support the benefits of a stadium and a long-term partnership with Mandalay and the Braves

I read somewhere that the 40 million could hire 50 teachers for 20 years making $40,000 a year. I think that puts it in perspective. Especially when all the democrats can scream is that we need more for education. I assume that most of the pro baseball voices are democrats because they never have a problem with raising taxes or taking money that does not belong to them for the “good of the public” Right Terry? Not hatin, just statin da truth.

Not me Abraham….registered republican, life long conservative and limited government advocate….I just don’t let political dogma blind me to a meaningful investment opportunity. The investment case for the area is compelling….greater prosperity provides for greater resources for all….private and public sector…..a majority – almost 60% – of respondents in the most recent polling data suggest the stadium will expand the tax base, attract new investment, improve our important tourism business and result in a better Wilmington

Comical is the commentary from the shilling peanut gallery.
Everything from the “survey” to the touted “$421million dollar” infusion into the local economy….all from a Single Class A team. Wow!! Then we have the gall to throw in a comparison to Charlotte with a AAA team slotted for there. Are you Yocals kidding?

I played BB from LL thru College and love the game…but it is a dying sport sadly. You dummies are getting 5-4-3’d by the Braves and don’t see because of emotion and they smell it.

So…..how many people that do not get to sit in the air conditioned sky boxes want to go watch a single A baseball game in this heat? This can solve many problems. You can lose weight, add to the wealth of Mandalay and the Braves, increase deodorant sales, and increase bug spray sales. Is this the economic boom this stadium will provide? This will also give give job security to EMS and the local hospitals as they care for the heat stroke victims. What a deal! All this for only 42 million dollars and counting……

I guess the State Legislature can pass another law that does not allow it to get this hot anymore…..

About This Blog

Watchful eyes on government and politics in the Cape Fear region, with a focus on government spending. Raleigh bureau reporter Molly Parker, city of Wilmington reporter Julian March and New Hanover County reporter Ashley Withers contribute to this blog.